BackgroundThe Board has authority over offenders sentenced under three different sets of laws: Discretionary (crimes committed before 1/20/77), Matrix (crimes committed between 1/26/77 and 10/31/89) and Sentencing Guidelines (crimes committed on or after 11/1/89). Parole only applies to Discretionary and Matrix cases. Post-Prison Supervision only applies to Sentencing Guidelines cases. Being on parole or post-prison supervision means that once an offender is released from prison he/she must follow certain rules (known as "conditions").

The Board's control is different depending on which three sets of laws apply. Some offenders have crimes sentenced under more than one law. The Board has no power over sentence time served for Sentencing Guidelines cases. In these cases, the Board is not involved until the offender is released from prison. In all three cases, the Board decides the rules ("conditions") of supervision upon release from prison. The Board can return an offender to custody if those conditions are broken ("violated").

Victim NotificationYou must notify the Board if you want to be notified of hearings and/or an inmate's release. If you notify the Board, your name will also be provided to the Department of Corrections. The Board and the Department of Corrections will notify you 30 days prior to any type of release if we have your address.The Board will notify you about hearings if we have your current address. The Board and the Department of Corrections will keep your address and telephone number confidential (for their use only). You must keep the Board informed of any changes in address or phone number.

Attending Board HearingsThe Board is aware that being the victim of a crime can have a significant impact on your life and emotional well-being. We do not want to contribute to your pain. We encourage you to participate in hearings only to the extent appropriate for you and to seek information as needed. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Victims and interested citizens are always welcome to attend Board hearings. Victims may choose to attend a hearing in person, ask to be connected via telephone, or send a letter to the Board expressing their thoughts in writing. Because many hearings are held in the prisons, some arrangements beforehand are necessary. If you want to attend a hearing, you must call the Board's Hearings Specialist so arrangements can be made. Prisons have certain restrictions for members of the public entering the prison. The Board's Hearings Specialist can give you information about rules for entering a prison to attend a hearing. Please note that you cannot wear blue jeans into any prison.

The Board is not able to travel to all prisons. When the Board does not go to a prison, hearings are held by telephone from the Oregon State Correctional Institution or video conference from the Oregon State Penetentiary in Salem. The Board's Hearings Specialist can tell you where the hearing will be held. The Hearings Specialist can be reached at (503) 945-0902 or (503) 945-9009.

SchedulingOregon law requires the Board to hold hearings within a certain time period. Unfortunately, this means that we cannot always schedule hearings at the most convenient times for people who want to attend. Sometimes the Board needs to change a hearing date. If you have told us that you want to participate in a hearing, the Board will make an effort to reschedule the hearing when you are available. You must keep the Board informed of any change of address or phone number.

Information Considered by the BoardThe Board welcomes letters from victims and the public regarding hearings or supervision conditions. If you want the Board to consider a letter at a hearing, it needs to arrive at least 7 days before the hearing. Please include the inmate's name and SID# (state identification number), if you know it.

Under Oregon Public Records Law onlythose written materials provided by registered victims of the inmate or offender’s actual crime can be held as confidential. The Board will release those materials to the inmate and the public only if the victim has specifically waived the confidentiality of that particular item.

Despite prior practice, the Board can no longer routinely shield from disclosure written materials sent by non-victims, including victim relatives, community members and the general public [ORS 192.502 (4)(5)]. These written materials will not be redacted in any way except for the removal of addresses and phone numbers that may have been listed in the letter or e-mail. These materials will be included in the inmate’s hearings packet and will be made available to the public and to the news media upon request under Oregon’s Public Records Law [ORS 144.130].

Documents (reports, etc.) that the Board will consider during a hearing are contained in a packet. A copy of the packet, without confidential information, is sent to the inmate 14 days prior to the hearing. The release of documents contained in the packet, and in the official Board files, is controlled by public records laws. Documents released for a victim to view may not be available for view by the general public. For that reason, not all material can be copied and supplied through the mail.

Anyone may purchase a copy of the materials that are considered public. Victims who want to view file materials should make an appointment by calling the Board's Records Office at (503) 945-0915 weekdays between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Remember to keep the Board informed of changes in your address or phone numberA video entitled "Victim & Survivor Impact on the Board of Parole & Post-Prison Supervision" is available for viewing prior to attending a hearing. It is also available for viewing at all Victim Assistance Offices which are located at the County´s District Attorney´s Office.

This guide was developed by the Oregon Board of Parole & Post Prison Supervision/Crime Victims Task Force. The Board wishes to thank the citizens on the Task Force who volunteered their time and energy to make this guide a source of support for crime victims throughout the state.

County Contact List for VictimsThe link below is a list of "contact people" in each county for victims who wish to determine the status of an offender who has been released from prison. Some of the persons listed below are employed with a community corrections agency and some are employees with a victims assistance office with a District Attorney.